An online journal of Mannie Gentile, a National Park Service Park Ranger working on the National Mall in our nation's capital.
DISCLAIMER: please note that this blog represents only my views and not those of the National Park Service.
Feel free to email me at: museumofamerica@myactv.net
A friend of mine owns a house that was built by a Doctor Stuart in the late 1850s. He was a part of a network of doctors in Virginia and Maryland who were Pro-Confederacy & who smuggled medicines across the lines for use by Confederate troops. The doctors also contributed money to the Confederate war effort. According to Dr. Stuart's papers, Dr. Mudd was a part of that network.
Apparently, John Wilkes Booth's gang was introduced to the network and visited several of the doctors' homes while he was fleeing DC after the Lincoln Assassination. Booth showed up at both Dr. Mudd's and Dr. Stuart's homes looking for assistance, money and food. After Dr. Mudd set Booth's leg, he told him how to get to Dr. Stuart's home. When Booth arrived at Dr. Stuart's, his family had just finished dinner. Dr. Stuart offered Booth the remainder of his family's dinner, then told him to get out because he did not want to be implicated in the Assassination.
The only thing that kept Dr. Stuart from being branded a co-conspirator was a hastily written letter that Booth wrote to him before he left the house. In the letter, he basically called into question Stuart's hospitality and said the Dr. didn't offer him assistance.
I know Dr. Mudd's family has been trying to clear his name for over the last century, but he knew Booth & the other conspirators. I don't believe the doctors were in on the assassination of Lincoln. I think they were for the original kidnapping plan and were introduced to Booth & his gang via the Confederate network they were a part of in preparation for the kidnapping. Once Booth killed the President, the situation changed. At each house Booth visited for assistance, the doctors & other members of the network hastily offered little assistance, then sent him on his way, lest they be branded a part of the conspiracy.
So, YES, Absolutely, Dr. Mudd was in on it...at least from the original kidnapping plot. I don't believe he, or Dr. Stuart were for the assassination of Lincoln. But the two doctors definitely knew of some type of plot against Lincoln being formulated by JWB and his co-conspirators.
Not just yes but HELL yes! He knew Booth from a previous meeting. Booth was a popular actor. So, "I didn't know who he was" is a dog that just don't hunt.
George Atzerodt's last statement indicates Mudd as compliant in the kidnapping of the President as Booth had send supplies to Mudd's home two weeks prior to the murder. Love to have been a fly on that wall at Mudds home after Booth arrived. "you did WHAT!!!" GET OUT!! So I have to recant my last anonymous and say he was "in" on passing a kidnapped Prez through his home, not a dead one. I believe he was half in... Marty
Here's a little bit of info on the historic house I previously mentioned: http://bit.ly/e2bAGF
If you go back in the above slide show to slide #5, you'll read more about Dr. Mudd's involvement with Booth.
There was a wonderful and well researched web site about Dr. Stuart, his home & the Booth conspirators, but it's no longer live. If anyone is interested in reading more about Dr. Stuart, Dr. Mudd & Booth, here's a link to an archive of the web site: http://bit.ly/h8sCNU
Not all the links are live because this is an archive of the original web site, but what is accessible is really interesting. Enjoy!!!
According to one (I'd have to look up who he was) Mudd later admitted to knowing Booth when he showed up injured at his home. Hard to believe any other way. I think he was originally in on the kidnapping plan - not the murder - but he darn well knew Booth, gave him medical aid, and did not contact the authorities. Based on the law, he was VERY lucky he wasn't hanged, as he should have been.
Absolutely yes. Ed Steers convinced me beyond a shadow, and Kaufman's bizarre scenario that casts Booth as some sort of master manipulator who framed everyone and anyone falls flat.
He was in on it, if by "in on it" we mean that he knew who Booth was, had already been of assistance to Booth in the past, and was a member of a network of Confederate-sympathizing operatives who facilitated just the sort of thing Booth was doing. That he escaped the noose is due to luck more than anything else.
Definitely in on the kidnapping plot, but wasn't in on the asassination plot, which was tossed together rather quickly. If Booth lands solidly, Mudd remains a fairly anonymous pro-confederate doctor. But Mudd did himself no favors by covering for Booth after he found out what was really going on.
I agree with others that say he was in on the kidnapping plot but not in on the assassination. I also agree that he lied about not recognizing Booth when he treated his broken leg. Chris
18 comments:
Gotta vote no.
Another "No" vote without a shred of real knowledge on the subject, but that would be a good mock trial for a law school to use.
Ron Dickey
No. I cant see what use he would have had Booth not broken his leg. Booth would have not doubt been in a hurry to cross into Virginia.
Hell YEA!!!!
A friend of mine owns a house that was built by a Doctor Stuart in the late 1850s. He was a part of a network of doctors in Virginia and Maryland who were Pro-Confederacy & who smuggled medicines across the lines for use by Confederate troops. The doctors also contributed money to the Confederate war effort. According to Dr. Stuart's papers, Dr. Mudd was a part of that network.
Apparently, John Wilkes Booth's gang was introduced to the network and visited several of the doctors' homes while he was fleeing DC after the Lincoln Assassination. Booth showed up at both Dr. Mudd's and Dr. Stuart's homes looking for assistance, money and food. After Dr. Mudd set Booth's leg, he told him how to get to Dr. Stuart's home. When Booth arrived at Dr. Stuart's, his family had just finished dinner. Dr. Stuart offered Booth the remainder of his family's dinner, then told him to get out because he did not want to be implicated in the Assassination.
The only thing that kept Dr. Stuart from being branded a co-conspirator was a hastily written letter that Booth wrote to him before he left the house. In the letter, he basically called into question Stuart's hospitality and said the Dr. didn't offer him assistance.
I know Dr. Mudd's family has been trying to clear his name for over the last century, but he knew Booth & the other conspirators. I don't believe the doctors were in on the assassination of Lincoln. I think they were for the original kidnapping plan and were introduced to Booth & his gang via the Confederate network they were a part of in preparation for the kidnapping. Once Booth killed the President, the situation changed. At each house Booth visited for assistance, the doctors & other members of the network hastily offered little assistance, then sent him on his way, lest they be branded a part of the conspiracy.
So, YES, Absolutely, Dr. Mudd was in on it...at least from the original kidnapping plot. I don't believe he, or Dr. Stuart were for the assassination of Lincoln. But the two doctors definitely knew of some type of plot against Lincoln being formulated by JWB and his co-conspirators.
No. At the wrong place and wrong time.
Not just yes but HELL yes! He knew Booth from a previous meeting. Booth was a popular actor. So, "I didn't know who he was" is a dog that just don't hunt.
Could be wrong.
Mike Peters
George Atzerodt's last statement indicates Mudd as compliant in the kidnapping of the President as Booth had send supplies to Mudd's home two weeks prior to the murder. Love to have been a fly on that wall at Mudds home after Booth arrived. "you did WHAT!!!" GET OUT!! So I have to recant my last anonymous and say he was "in" on passing a kidnapped Prez through his home, not a dead one. I believe he was half in... Marty
Marty,
Noted. Like the "fly on the wall" thing.
Mannie
Here's a little bit of info on the historic house I previously mentioned:
http://bit.ly/e2bAGF
If you go back in the above slide show to slide #5, you'll read more about Dr. Mudd's involvement with Booth.
There was a wonderful and well researched web site about Dr. Stuart, his home & the Booth conspirators, but it's no longer live. If anyone is interested in reading more about Dr. Stuart, Dr. Mudd & Booth, here's a link to an archive of the web site:
http://bit.ly/h8sCNU
Not all the links are live because this is an archive of the original web site, but what is accessible is really interesting. Enjoy!!!
Stacy
Yep.
According to one (I'd have to look up who he was) Mudd later admitted to knowing Booth when he showed up injured at his home. Hard to believe any other way. I think he was originally in on the kidnapping plan - not the murder - but he darn well knew Booth, gave him medical aid, and did not contact the authorities. Based on the law, he was VERY lucky he wasn't hanged, as he should have been.
J.D.
Absolutely yes. Ed Steers convinced me beyond a shadow, and Kaufman's bizarre scenario that casts Booth as some sort of master manipulator who framed everyone and anyone falls flat.
He was in on it, if by "in on it" we mean that he knew who Booth was, had already been of assistance to Booth in the past, and was a member of a network of Confederate-sympathizing operatives who facilitated just the sort of thing Booth was doing. That he escaped the noose is due to luck more than anything else.
--ML
Without a doubt.
No, but I think he lied about not knowing John Wilkes Booth when he showed up at the house.
Definitely in on the kidnapping plot, but wasn't in on the asassination plot, which was tossed together rather quickly. If Booth lands solidly, Mudd remains a fairly anonymous pro-confederate doctor. But Mudd did himself no favors by covering for Booth after he found out what was really going on.
Mannie,
What do you think?
Mike Peters
I agree with others that say he was in on the kidnapping plot but not in on the assassination. I also agree that he lied about not recognizing Booth when he treated his broken leg.
Chris
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